Mastering Logistics for a Recreational Kayak Trip

Who is this for

• Recreational paddlers doing moving water with a put-in (start) upstream and a take-out (end) downstream.
• Recreational paddlers wanting to know the total time of a trip. 
• Captain organizing a recreation paddle trip with a group.

Considerations

Number of boats, gear, people and vehicles

1. Do you have a life vest, a paddle and, as of 2012, a sound-producing device* for each person?
2. Do you have enough boats for people?
3. Do you have enough vehicles to transport the boats, gear and people?

Drive time: Duration from your house to the put-in or take-out or back home

Shuttle time: Duration of shuttle

• This is personal preference, but the shorter the shuttle, the more time for fun. 10-20 minutes is typical.
• See my blog on Shuttling Step-by-Step

Distance to paddle (miles)

• The number of miles helps determine if it is a casual afternoon paddle, a day paddle or an overnight camping trip paddle.

Float time

• I call this float time, but if you are in a waterway with a current and obstacles, you might find yourself paddling just to keep in control. So factor in that it is a mix of paddling, floating and even a break for a stretch. These averages are on the low side because I factor in breaks. I’m old—I need to stretch. I’m young—I need to explore.
• In the summer when water is flowing low and slow, divide the distance (miles) by 2mph. For example, a 7-mile trip will take 3.5 hours to float.
• When water is moving (note spikes in CFS**) or you will be doing a constant paddle, divide the distance (miles) by 3mph. So a 12-mile trip will take 4 hours.

Food and drinks

• Check out this nerdery: A Hyrdation Calculator by CamelBak…I love it 
• My general rule is to have 16 oz. per hour. So a 4-hour trip would mean I bring (2) 32-oz. water containers. Also, I like cold water so I put in lots of ice and keep it in a cooler with ice packs.

Time Constraints (e.g., sunset, dinner plans, babysitter needs to leave)

• This is the tricky part. Calculate it using the formula below and back time it. For example, if your total time <<feel free to use 2mph to be sure you have enough time versus the average of 2.5mph>>

Calculation Example

A 10-mile trip with a 15-minute drive and shuttle each way would take approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes. This means if your group had to be back by 5pm, then don’t leave the house later than 10:30 AM.

Juniata River – Howe Park (3 miles south of Newport, PA) to Ann Street in Duncannon is 10-miles. The float time is 4 hours. The shuttle is 15 minutes one-way. However, from my house, the drive to put-in is 40-minutes and the drive from take-out is 35 minutes. So I average up and down to nearest quarter of an hour, and use 45-minutes as the total unpacking/packing.

Example with 2 people, 2 boats, 2 vehicles

Drive to take-out = .5 hr

Shuttle 1-way = .25 hr.

Unpack = .25 hr.

Float = 4 hours

Pack = .5 hr.

Shuttle 1 way = .25 hr.

Drive home = .75 hr.

TOTAL = 6.5 hours

Example with 4 people, 4 boats, 2 vehicles

Drive to put-in = .75 hr

Shuttle 2-way = .5 hr.

Unpack = .25 hr.

Float = 4 hours

Pack = .5 hr.

Shuttle 2-way = .5 hr.

Drive home = .5 hr.

TOTAL = 7 hours

Did you know?

*The Pennsylvania Boating Handbook lists in Chapter 2 the “operators of unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards) are required to carry a device capable of sounding a prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a collision. An athletic coach’s whistle is acceptable.”

**CFS means Cubic Feet per Second

Shuttling Kayaks Step-By-Step

Shuttling

Shuttling kayaks is necessary when it is desired to paddle in moving water. Shuttling is the act of moving cars from the take-out to the put-in or vice versa. These are guidelines based on most vehicles hauling 2 boats--usually on a roof rack. 

A COMMENT ON ROOF RACK WEIGHT

Whether you use OEM rails and racks, or an aftermarket brand like Yakima or Thule, you must know the weight limit on these components--and go with the lowest number. For example, your Yakima rack may hold 200# but if your SUV’s rails, that this rack sits on, only holds 100# then you are limited to 100#. So if you are planning to carry two Pungo 140s at 58# each, then you might want to reconsider your plan.

With some ingenuity, I am sure you can find ways to make your shuttle easier. Perhaps, befriend someone who owns a pickup with an 8’ truck or someone with a beater van, and you can stack 4 boats easily in one vehicle. I’ve also seen many homemade trailers that haul multiple boats behind the vehicle.

Remember to bring your keys in a waterproof container and latch it to your boat when paddling.

The easiest trip is 2 people, 2 boats, 2 vehicles. 

2 people, 2 boats, 2 vehicles

1. Load both boats on one vehicle. 
2. Meet at take-out. 
3. Drop the unloaded vehicle at the take out.
4. Drive the loaded vehicle to the put-in.

Variation 

1. Two people, each with boats on their vehicle can meet at take-out
2. Load a boat from one vehicle to another so now a vehicle has 2 boats. 
3. Leave the unloaded boat at the take-out
4. Drive the loaded vehicle to the put-in.

3-4 people, 3-4 boats, 2 vehicles

1. Load 2 boats on each vehicle.
2. Meet at put-in.
3. Unload boats and gear.
4. Leave 1-2 people to watch boats and gear. 
5. Drive the 2 cars to take-out. 
6. Leave 1 car and return to put-in in the other.

Example

Juniata River – Howe Park (3 miles south of Newport, PA) to Ann Street in Duncannon.

For 2 people, 2 boats, 2 vehicles

1. We would meet at take-out (Ann St.). 
2. Drop one car off 
3. Ride together in the other with both boats to put-in (Howe Township Park).
4. Float downstream.
5. We would load both cars on the car at the take-out.
6. Then we'd drive up to retrieve the car at the put-in and drive home.

For 4 people, 4 boats, 2 vehicles

1. We would meet at put-in (Howe Township Park) and unload all boats and gear. 
2. Drop off a car at the take-out (Ann St.) 
3. We'd return with the other car to the put-in . 
4. Float downstream.
5. We would retrieve the car at the put-in.
6. Then we would load both cars at the take-out and drive home. 

I hope that helps! Feel free to add your questions, tips or 2 cents in the comments. Thanks for reading.